Valentine’s Day at Maui Ocean Center

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

moc Enjoy a romantic evening surrounded by the beauty of Hawaii’s marine life at Maui Ocean Center’s 8th annual Sea of Love! Dine on a decadent four-course meal with your choice of entree, exquisitely prepared by James Beard Nominee Chef Henry Tariga and catered by the award-winning Seascape Ma’alaea Restaurant.

Semi-private seating against the enchanting backdrops of the Aquarium’s Living Reef and Open Ocean exhibits promises you an intimate Valentine’s Day experience like no other. Maui Ocean Center’s signature event is $99 plus gratuity and tax per person and includes a welcome glass of sparkling wine and special Valentine’s lei for the ladies. Seating times are between 6pm-8pm on Sunday, February 14, 2010. Seating is limited, call early to avoid disappointment.

Reservations
Call 808.270.7088
Monday-Friday
9am-4pm

Take a hike!

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

450px-kalalau_trail_2004-08-22 One of Hawaii’s greatest past times is getting out there and seeing all of nature’s beauty on the hiking trails available. It can be overwhelming deciding which ones would be of most interest, fit you and your group’s physical ability and know how long each trail is.

If you’re planning a trip to the islands and want to include hiking in your itinerary, the Na Ala Hele website is a great resource!

Just choose which island you’re interested in and a map of the island will come up with numbers that correspond to specific trails. Mouse over the number and it will give you a summary of stats about the trail like the name, length of trail, difficulty, activity available on the trail, elevation, features and hazards.

Click on the number for more detailed info and a general map of the area. You should always be prepared when hiking and bring survival items in your backpack. Water, food, GPS or compass are incredibly helpful, first aid kit, flashlight and batteries. Walking sticks come in handy when going on steep or narrow trails.
Photo by Matt Wright

Maui Ocean Center Sea Talk Series today

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

Maui Ocean Center on today from 6-7pm for a complimentary Sea Talk Series on Polynesian Voyaging with Kekai Kapu. Kapu will share a fascinating lecture on the voyages of Polynesia, including the building of the 62-ft double-hull canoe Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani, the launching of the Mo’okiha this June, and the world voyage that will happen in 2012.

Kekai Kapu is a Native Hawaiian and Cultural Practitioner of Hawaiian Weaponry. He also serves as a board Director for Maui’s Hui O Wa’a Kaulua. Kapu is currently involved in the restoration of Hawaiian Canoes at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel and assisting with the building of a 6-man sailing canoe that will be completed at the closing of Makahiki. He has great love and compassion for his culture and its people.

Founded in Lahaina, Hawaii in 1975, Hui O Wa’a Kaulua (Assembly of the Double-Hulled Canoe) is a non-profit cultural organization that primarily through the life of canoes, commits to preserving, protecting, perpetuating and teaching Hawaiian culture. For more information, visit the Hui O Wa’a Kaulua Facebook page.

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Time: 6-7pm, gate opens at 5:50pm
Place: Open Ocean Exhibit, enter through the Aquarium’s front gate
Admission: Complimentary

New Years Eve fireworks in Hawaii

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

KITV has put together a list of places for each island that will have fireworks displays. If you’re lucky enough to be ringing in the new year island style, here’s where you can find the light shows.

Oahu:
Wet ‘N Wild Hawaii (waterpark) 6 p.m.
Aloha Tower Marketplace: midnight
JW Marriott Ihilani Resort: midnight
Waikiki Beach: midnight

Maui:
Grand Wailea Resort: midnight

Big Island:
Four Seasons - Hualalai: midnight

Kauai:
Sheraton Kauai Resort (Poipu Beach): 10 p.m.

Mangolicious treats at Big Island’s Parker Ranch Friday

Filed Under Food Finds, Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

If you’re going to be on the Big Island this Friday, make sure you stop by Parker Ranch in Waimea.

All the way from Hilo, Hawaii, County Economic Council, “Rainbow Falls Connection” will be tasting their famous Mango Butter Spread! The perfect gift to take home, and don’t forget at least one jar for yourself! Experience the scrumptious flavor of island mango. Their fresh butter, lavosh, honey, and other Hawaiian treats, are 100% Made in Hawaii with the freshest island ingredients. You will also purchase with a purpose: All sales support the programs that help low income community members gain skills to become self- sufficient. Parker Ranch Store is proud to support our local businesses, and hope you will join them on Friday, November 20th, from 9am-1pm for a taste of the Big Island!

Can’t make it to Hawaii? Click below and go to the “Kitchen and Pantry” section and you can buy from there!

Whales take an early trip back to the islands

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

Apparently the whales have decided to come back to the islands. Hawaii Magazine has listed some of the best places to catch them on each island:

Oahu: The Makapuu Point lookout and lighthouse and Halona Blowhole lookout on Oahu’s south shore offer great vantage points, with wide ocean vistas. Both lookouts are located off Kalanianaole Hwy, and have free parking.

Maui: The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Learning Center in the south shore resort community of Kihei has an on site viewing scope and personnel available to answer any questions you might have on whales and whale behavior. The center, located at 726 S. Kihei Road, is open Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Driving to and from Lahaina? There are also several good lookouts for whale spotting along West Maui’s Hwy 30.

The Big Island: Kapaa Beach Park, on the northern tip of the island near Hawi, is a bit rocky for swimming. But the cove guarantees calm, clear waters, which make conditions easier for spotting passing humpbacks. The beach is located off Hwy 270, north of the South Kohala town of Kawaihae.

Kauai: The peninsula of Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai’s beautiful north shore has an excellent ocean panorama. From a designated observation area in the shadow of the peninsula’s historic lighthouse, you’ll be able to whale watch from sea cliffs hundreds of feet above the turbulent north shore surf. Admission to the refuge is $5; hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

For more information on what kinds of whale behaviors to look for as you enjoy them, see the rest of the Hawaii Magazine article here.

Friday happenings at the Maui Ocean Center

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

On October 16, World Food Day, the Aquarium joins the international celebration by featuring the talents of James Beard nominee Chef Henry Tariga and the award-winning Seascape Ma’alaea Restaurant with a mini food exhibition of multi-cultural cuisine. The restaurant will also offer a delicious cultural menu for one day only on October 16.

In keeping with the day’s food theme, Chef Diver will give a presentation on the fishy meals prepared for the animals at the Aquarium. This popular and educational presentation takes place in the Hammerhead Harbor exhibit at 12pm and is included with park admission. Guests are invited to take a seat, watch, and learn about how food for the Aquarium’s animals is prepared, including they key ingredients that go into a healthy shark, fish, or ray’s diet.

Also, join them as they welcome a new female juvenile tiger shark to the Aquarium with a traditional Hawaiian blessing. Maui Ocean Center’s cultural advisor Kahu Charles Maxwell Sr. will conduct the blessing in the Open Ocean Exhibit at 11:30am. Guests are invited to witness this special event and to sample sweet potato and taro following the ceremony.

Start your holiday shopping at Parker Ranch

Filed Under Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

Friday, September 25th: Rhona from Island Plantations visits Parker Ranch Store from 9am-1pm with their yummy tropical syrups, lilikoi, coconut, and guava flavors. Their syrups are a sure hit at the breakfast table, or a wonderful accompaniment on your favorite ice cream.

Enjoy the tropical flavored teas of the islands in soothing delightful blends. If ever there were a match made in heaven, these are it. Savor Passion Fruit French Vanilla, Macadamia Coconut, or everyone’s favorite Guava Strawberry. These all natural herbal teas are made in Hawaii with Aloha. Go enjoy the tropical flavored teas of the Islands in these soothing delightful blends. Each flavor is an excellent choice as a gift for someone special or as a treat for yourself. Can’t join us on the Big Island? Click below to shop online!

Experience local goodies at the Parker Ranch

Filed Under Food Finds, Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

Gourmet Chips, Local Waimea Experience

Friday, August 7th: Jessa Candy presents Parker Ranch Store’s Horse Chips! Made in Waimea with love and care, especially for Parker Ranch, by Jessica Lindsey. She has carefully crafted with gourmet Hawaiian coffee, macadamia nuts, and coconut, some mouth watering brittle candies. Made the old fashioned way and with the flavors of the Islands, these wonderful confections are light and buttery. The perfect gift to take home. Come share an experience with Parker Ranch on Friday August 7th, from 9am to 1pm.

Support the Kauai Sunshine Markets

Filed Under Food Finds, Hawaii Activities | Leave a Comment

More and more people are shopping at farmers markets these days. That shouldn’t stop just because you’re on vacation! Matter of fact, it’s the best way to get some great local produce, mingle with some locals and support the local economy! If you find yourself on Kauai, they have several great farmers markets on different parts of the island on different days of the week. To find out the schedule, click here.

keep looking »